This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/12/2014
On June 2, 1983, the Detroit Tigers honored two of their greatest players and retired their numbers, Hall of Famers Charley Gehringer and Hank Greenberg at Tigers Stadium. As part of the ceremony, 18 former teammates were invited to take part, and each was given a special Louisville Slugger bat with Hank and Charley's signatures engraved on the barrel. Each participant also received a special Hamilton wrist-watch with the numbers 2 and 5 etched on the back, along with the date 6-12-83.
The bat and watch offered for auction in this lot were given to Billy Sullivan, Jr. A former Notre Dame grad and son of famed White Sox catcher Billy Sullivan, Sr. Billy Jr. played 12 seasons in the big leagues with the Sox, Reds, Indians, Browns, Tigers, Dodgers and Pirates. Sullivan had a career batting average of .289 and was known as a good contact hitter and smart player. He was very hard to strike out, fanning only 119 times in more than 3100 plates appearances.
Sullivan was close friends with Greenberg during and after their playing careers. It is likely due to their long lasting friendship that Sullivan was invited to take part in the 1983 uniform retirement ceremony. In addition to the bat and watch this lot includes an original ceremony itinerary and complimentary ticket provided by the Tigers, and a poster and program connected with the event. It also included two snapshots from years earlier, of Greenberg, that were in Sullivan's possession when he passed away in 1994.
The items are offered by one of Sullivan's descendants who felt they should belong to a Greenberg, Gehringer or Tiger fan. This is an amazing opportunity to acquire a piece of Detroit Tigers history that likely might not ever present its self again. As a note condition the bat has some small contact marks and the watch is not currently running, but probably easibly repairable should one wish to do so.